He graduated from Hubei Fangyan College (now Wuhan University), then he went to Japan to study under Zhang Taiyan.

Then he taught at Changsha Normal College and Hunan First Normal University, his students included Mao Zedong, Cai Hesen, Xiao Zisheng, Xiao San, He Shuheng, Li Weihan, and Li Lisan.

In 1927 he became president of National Labor University, a position he held until September 1930.

He served as minister of Agricultural and Mineral between October 1928 to November 1930.

In March 1929, he was appointed director of National Palace Museum, he remained in that position until November 1930, when he was appointed president of National Beiping Normal College (now Beijing Normal University).